Never again: How the military prepares for a Benghazi terrorist scenario in Africa

The night of September 11, 2012, the U.S. diplomatic post and the nearby CIA annex in Benghazi, Libya, were attacked by Islamic terrorists. The ensuing two-day battle left four Americans dead: U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens, State Department employee Sean Smith, CIA contractor and former Navy SEAL Tyrone Woods, and CIA contractor and former Navy SEAL Glenn Doherty.

Failed leadership from the higher echelons of the State Department and the CIA meant the much-needed Quick Reaction Force (QRF) didn’t arrive for almost a day. A two-man Delta Force team, comprised of an Army master sergeant and a Marine, that was in nearby Tripoli, took the initiative and flew into Benghazi to provide support. The two men respectively received the Distinguished Service Cross and Navy Cross for their actions.

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About the Author

About Stavros Atlamazoglou

Having completed his national service in the Greek army, serving with the 575th Marines Battalion and Army HQ, Stavros is pursuing his passion for history, international affairs, and words at the Johns Hopkins University. You will usually find him on the top of a mountain admiring the view and wondering how he got there.